FR2864670A1 - METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING AND CUSTOMIZING CONTACTLESS CHIP TICKETS AND DEVICE THEREOF - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for distributing contactless chip tickets, characterized in that it consists in: a) depiling one by one the tickets stored in a stack of tickets (12), b) checking the reliability of the ticket by means of an antenna (24) outside the ticket, c) customize the ticket.

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic dispensing method for

  disposable ticket unit and particularly relates to a method of dispensing and personalizing contactless smart tickets and its

associated device.

  Disposable ticket dispensing machines, such as paper tickets, generally store the tickets in the form of rolls or accordion batteries known as folding screens. According to these two storage modes, the tickets are tied together in strips. This system has the advantage of providing continuous distribution but occupies a lot of space. A guillotine cuts the ticket on demand just before its distribution. Unfortunately, this type of dispensing machine is not entirely suitable for contactless smart disposable tickets known as "contactless tickets". Indeed, the production yield of contactless tickets is less important than that of single disposable tickets given their technology requiring much more precision. However, the mode of storing tickets in continuous tape does not allow the removal of bad tickets during production and thus keeps bad tickets. Thus, this mode of storing tickets in the distribution machine requires more space for the same number of reliable tickets. In addition, a check of each ticket before issue to the final customer is necessary and is performed manually by an operator who programs in addition to the control, each ticket at the request of the customer.

  In order to reduce the number of bad tickets, one solution is to eliminate them before their introduction in the dispensing machine. This solution then imposes the storage of tickets in the form of batteries in the dispenser but also makes it possible to overcome the problems of space. This type of distributor exists for the distribution of plastic cards or tickets in "polyester" whose physical characteristics, such as elasticity are close to those of plastic. Polyester cards or tickets are stored individually in piles and are unstacked as and when dispensed. To pop the cards, some systems proceed by pushing the card with a blade that presses the thickness of the card. Other systems proceed by bending and pinching the card using the rigid and elastic properties of the card. In addition to the fact that these distribution systems where the cards are stored in piles, offer a considerable space saving compared to a roller distribution system, they also allow the reuse of the tickets, that is to say the redistribution by the same mechanism tickets already distributed a first time, which is impossible when the tickets are stored in rolls or screen.

  Unfortunately, these unit unstacking means are not suitable for disposable paperless contactless paper tickets. Indeed, this type of ticket has very specific physical characteristics compared to single disposable tickets. Its surface is not flat but has an elevation at the chip. In addition, unlike the plastic card ticket does not have sufficient elasticity to allow him to return to a configuration exactly the same when releasing the pressure exerted on the ticket. Finally, such a ticket can be curled along its two longitudinal axes. There are therefore no distribution devices adapted to contactless chip tickets and therefore, moreover, there are no devices for automatic distribution of contactless chip tickets. Therefore, today, the distribution of contactless smart tickets but also their personalization require manual intervention.

  This is why the object of the invention is to provide a method of distributing paperless cards without automatic contact and its associated distribution device.

  Another object of the invention is to provide a method of unitary distribution of contactless smart paper tickets capable of programming and marking each ticket to customize it according to the request and its associated distribution device.

  The object of the invention is therefore a method of distributing contactless chip tickets, characterized in that it consists in: a) depiling one by one the tickets stored in a stack 10 of tickets, b) checking the reliability of the ticket by means of an antenna outside the ticket, c) personalizing the ticket Another object of the invention is to provide a device for automatic and unitary distribution of contactless smart tickets comprising a stacked ticket storage location in the form of a stack , means capable of depiling the tickets one by one, means for controlling the reliability of each ticket and means for personalizing each ticket.

  The objects, objects and features of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description given with reference to the drawings in which: FIG. 1 represents a diagrammatic section of the dispensing machine according to the invention, FIG. A schematic section of the dispensing machine according to the invention when gripping the ticket, FIG. 3 shows a schematic section of the dispensing machine according to the invention during unstacking of the ticket. FIG. the dispensing machine according to the invention during the release of the ticket, Figure 5 shows, in a schematic sectional view of the ticket guide table, Figure 6 shows in schematic section the marking of the ticket and Figure 7 shows in schematic section the removal of a bad ticket.

  According to the schematic representation of FIG. 1, the dispensing machine is composed of at least one removable cassette 10 containing about 500 contactless chip tickets 12 stacked and vertically compressed by a mass 14. The contactless chip tickets comprise an antenna and a module or chip connected to the antenna. The stack of tickets rests on two edges or bosses 16 of the cassette 10. Between the bosses 16, an opening with flap allows the passage of tickets. The dispensing machine comprises a carriage consisting of an arm movable in translation 31 on which are fixed a suction cup 20 and an antenna 24. A table, not shown in the figure and supporting two parallel belts and smooth, allows through an opening in its center, the passage of the suction cup 20 and the antenna 24. The antenna 24 is connected to at least one microprocessor not shown in the figures and provided with a memory. The two belts are ticket drive means and are each driven by two pulleys 42, themselves driven by a motor not shown in the figure. Two rollers 44 press on the recess of the parallel belts 40 just next to the pulleys 42. The arm 31 is set in motion by an up / down mechanism consisting mainly of a plate 32, a column 33 fixed to the plate , a motor assembly 36, a crankshaft 35 and a connecting rod 34.

  The arm 31 is guided in vertical translation by the column 33 and set in motion thanks to the motor assembly, crankshaft and connecting rod. The suction cup 20 is of the discharge suction type and is provided with means for controlling its depression, such as, for example, a valve 26 held closed by a spring 28.

  The operating steps of the dispensing machine are shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 2 to 5.

  Each ticket is depiled one by one at the request of the customer who formulates his order through a communicating interface with the micro-processor of the dispensing machine. According to FIG. 2, the suction cup 20 and the arm 31 are set in motion and when the suction cup comes into contact with the first ticket 13, it compresses while allowing the air to escape since it can not escape by the internal valve 26 which is closed. While the crankshaft 35 passes the top dead center and the motor 36 continues its rotation, the sucker tends to decompress and therefore goes into depression, which causes the ticket 13 down. The ticket 13 first retained by the bosses 16 of the cassette deforms, as shown in Figure 3 and eventually out of the cassette. The sucker 20 on which is retained the ticket 13 and the arm 21 continue their descent until the spring 28 is compressed on the abutment 38 of the plate 32 as shown in FIG. 4. When the spring 28 is compressed, the valve 26 is moved upwards and opening allows air to enter the suction cup thus removing the depression in it which has the effect of releasing the ticket.

  According to FIG. 5, which represents a schematic section along a plane perpendicular to the section planes of FIGS. 1 to 4, the belts 40 are supported by a table 30 comprising a recess 39 in which the ticket bears when it is driven by the The hollow 39 makes it possible to absorb the flatness defects of the tickets and to guarantee that they will always rest on the belts 40. The ticket 13 once released from the suction cup then rests on the two parallel belts 40.

  Referring to Figure 6, the ticket then undergoes a first control by the antenna 24, located around the suction cup 20 to determine whether the ticket communicates or not with an external antenna and thus determine the reliability of the ticket. The control is possible thanks to a communication protocol programmed in the microprocessor, which manages the communication and the data exchanges between the disposable chipless contact ticket and the antenna. If the ticket communicates, the microprocessor transmits a message to the motor driving the pulleys which then rotate in a direction intended to rotate the belts 40 in a movement that drives the ticket in a printer 50. The free rollers 44 press on the belts 40 to stamp the ticket and guarantee its training. The printer in turn drives the ticket and marks it with graphic information to customize or number it. The speed differential between the belts and the printer if it exists, is absorbed by the slip of the ticket on the smooth belts. Ticket printing is performed by a standard thermal printer.

  Once the ticket is printed, it is delivered by the printer on the belts 40. The ticket is then recontrolled by the antenna and then electronically programmed by the antenna which receives its instructions from the microprocessor so as to complete its customization. For this, digital data is transmitted by the antenna 24 and the ticket antenna to the ticket chip through the communication protocol. The digital data transmitted are adapted to the nature of the use of the ticket and possibly at the request of the user via the communicating interface connected to the microprocessor. For example, it may be a certain amount of time units for a parking ticket that determines its validity period. The control and programming times are very short, of the order of a few tenths of a second. Once the ticket has been programmed, it is validated to be distributed to the customer. The antenna then transmits to the microprocessor a control message to the motor for driving the pulleys which then rotate in a direction rotating the belts 40 in a motion causing the ticket to the dispensing outlet located on the side opposite the printer as shown in Figure 7.

  During checks that take place during unstacking and at the time of programming, if a communication fault is detected, the antenna transmits the information to the microprocessor so that the printer ejects the ticket to a tray where all Rejected tickets are automatically stored and located after the printer. This arrangement eliminates a referral device and improves the compactness of the product.

  As illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the plate 32 is guided in translation by two axes 37 through a mechanism not shown in the figure. This non-limiting feature of the invention makes it possible to move the carriage horizontally and to position it in front of another cassette when the first cassette is empty or when it is unavailable. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ticket dispensing machine is provided with two cassettes and two identical carriages as described above, each carriage being stationary and intended to extract the tickets from one of the two cassettes. . Preferably, but not limited to the invention, the cassettes are secured and reusable. They are reloaded in a secure workshop. When they are closed, they are armed to allow only one entry into the ticket dispensing machine. A seal, or any equivalent means, ensures the non-opening of the cassette during its cycle of use outside the secure workshop. During transport, the cassettes are locked making it difficult to extract tickets without visible deterioration. When it is introduced into the ticket dispensing machine, the cassette unlocks and its flap opens allowing the distribution of tickets. Then, when removing the cassette from the dispensing machine, its valve is locked again but is disarmed, preventing its reopening and therefore its reintroduction into the ticket dispensing machine. In this way, it is not possible to reintroduce an empty cassette, half full or removed for unavailability.

  The ticket dispensing machine uses all the tickets of the first cassette and when this is empty the distribution automatically switches to the second cassette. A light signal informs the maintenance agent of the state of the cassettes, in service, empty, or in default.

  The method of distribution of contactless smart tickets and its associated device according to the invention have the advantage of being able to adapt to the various customer interface systems existing on the market. Indeed, the communication protocol programmed in the microprocessor is able to communicate via a computer, a network or a modem or even autonomously.

  The ticket dispensing machine according to the invention has the advantage of being of reduced size, of the order of 400 mm × 200 mm × 150 mm. Thus, it can easily integrate with simple disposable ticket dispensing machines without major modifications thereof or be placed on a desk.

  In addition, the invention can be adapted to tickets of different shapes and materials, with chips of different sizes without having to be modified. The invention can be applied in particular to tickets of the tag type and / or RFID tickets (Radio Frequency Identification).

  Thanks to the unitary distribution mode of the invention, the tickets already used can be reintroduced into the cassette to be reprogrammed and redistributed, even if they are creased or if they include creases.

Claims (13)

  1. A method of distributing contactless smart tickets, characterized in that it consists in: a) depiling one by one the tickets stored in a stack of tickets (12), b) checking the reliability of the ticket by means of a antenna (24) external to the ticket, c) customize the ticket.   2. The method of claim 1, wherein the contactless smart ticket is a paper ticket.   3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said step c) consists in: cl) printing the ticket with personalized graphic information, c2) and programming the ticket by recording in the chip of personalized electronic information transmitted by said antenna exterior.   4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in said step b) if said antenna (24) detects a ticket that does not communicate, the ticket is automatically directed to a tray where all rejected tickets are stored .   5. A device for automatic and unitary distribution of contactless smart tickets comprising a storage location of the tickets in the form of a stack, means capable of unstacking the tickets one by one, means for controlling the reliability of each ticket and means for customize each ticket.   The dispensing device according to claim 5, wherein said storage location is composed of at least one removable cassette (10).   7. Dispensing device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said means for depiling the tickets one by one mainly comprise a suction cup (20) integral with an arm (31) and driven in translation by means of a motor assembly (36). , crankshaft (35) and connecting rod (34).   8. Dispensing device according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said means for controlling the reliability comprises an antenna (24) outside the ticket and at least one microprocessor provided with a memory and connected to said antenna ( 24).   9. Dispensing device according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein said means for customizing each ticket include among others a thermal printer to print on the tickets personalized graphic information.   10. Dispensing device according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein a communicating interface connected to said microprocessor allows an external user to customize a ticket through said antenna (24).   11. Dispensing device according to one of claims 5 to 10, wherein said suction cup (20) is provided with means for controlling its depression such as preferably a valve (26) held closed by a spring (28).   12. Dispensing device according to one of claims 5 to 11, wherein said cassette (10) is provided with a valve which remains closed and locked when the cassette is removed from the dispensing machine.   13. Dispensing device according to one of claims 5 to 12, wherein a tray located after said printer store all rejected tickets after they have been detected non-communicating by said antenna (24).